Crushed StarsFarewell Young Lovers

Up to this point, there was some real predictability to what each new Crushed Stars album would offer. Todd Gautreau perfected his signature slow, glacial sound and seemed unwilling to stray too far from that comfort zone. That's why, then, Farewell Young Lovers comes as a welcome surprise.

It wasn't that there was anything really wrong with any of the previous Crushed Stars albums, but this is definitely the band's most well-rounded effort to date. It kicks off with fuzzy, upbeat "Flowerbomb" and then later veers towards Jesus and Mary Chain territory on "Haters," albeit in a restrained way. More songs in this vein would be appreciated, but in between, he's back to his old tricks again, although even the slower songs have fuller arrangements than before.

Gautreau is definitely stretching his wings, but there's still some hesitancy when it comes to actually taking flight.
(Simulacra)